This handbook provides the first comprehensive overview of the fast-evolving alternative finance space and makes a timely and in-depth contribution to the literature in this area. Bringing together expert contributions in the field from both practitioners and academics, in one of the most dynamic parts of the financial sector, it provides a solid reference for this exciting discipline. 

Divided into six parts, Section 1 presents a high-level overview of the technologically-enabled finance space. It also offers a historical perspective on technological finance models and outlines different business models. Section 2 analyses digital currencies including guides to bitcoins, other cryptocurrencies, and blockchains. Section 3 addresses alternative payment systems such as digital money and asset tokenization. Section 4 deals with crowdfunding models from both a theoretical perspective and from a regulatory perspective. Section 5 discusses data-driven business models and includes a discussion of neural networks and deep learning. Finally, Section 6 discusses welfare implications of the technological finance revolution.

This collection highlights the most current developments to date and the state-of-the-art in alternative finance, while also indicating areas of further potential. Acting as a roadmap for future research in this innovative and promising area of finance, this handbook is a solid reference work for academics and students whilst also appealing to industry practitioners, businesses and policy-makers.

Chapter 1. An Overview of Technologically Enabled Finance

Chapter 2. Innovations in Alternative Finance in Historical Perspective
Chapter 3. A Layman's Guide to Bitcoin and Blockchain
Chapter 4. An Introduction to Cryptocurrencies
Chapter 5. The Role of Utopia in the Workings of Local and Cryptocurrencies
Chapter 6. Digital Currencies and Central Banks
Chapter 7. Cryptocurrencies: Regulatory Perspectives and Implications for Investors
Chapter 8. Fintech Revolutionizing Financial Services: The Case of Virtual Savings and Credit Supply Technological Platforms in Africa
Chapter 9. What Does Digital Money Mean for Emerging Market and Developing Economies?- Chapter 10. Blockchain and Other Distributed Ledger Technologies in Finance
Chapter 11. Consensus Mechanisms for the Blockchain
Chapter 12. Multi-Stakeholder Governance in the Era of Decentralized Finance
Chapter 13. Law and Blockchains
Chapter 14. Blockchain Trading and Exchange
Chapter 15. Initial Coin Offerings: Current Research and Future Directions
Chapter 16. How Wise Are Crowds on Crowdfunding Platforms?- Chapter 17. Asymmetric Information at the Platform Level: The Case of Peer-to-Peer Lending
Chapter 18. Equity Crowdfunding and Capital Formation for Early-Stage Firms
Chapter 19. Growing Pains: The Changing Regulation of Alternative Lending Platforms
Chapter 20. Regulating Equity Crowdfunding: Lessons From International Practice
Chapter 21. The Use of Psychometrics and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Finance
Chapter 22. Neural Networks and Deep Learning: A Paradigm Shift in Information Processing, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Chapter 23. Use of Big Data in Developing Markets
Chapter 24. Use of Big Data in Insurance
Chapter 25. Technology and Working Capital Finance
Chapter 26. Robo-Advising
Chapter 27. Implementation of Open Banking Protocols Around the World
Chapter 28. Technological Innovation and Discrimination in Household Finance
Chapter 29. Trust Building and Credit Reporting With Big Data in the Digital Age
Chapter 30. Digital Identity in India
Chapter 31. Big Techs in Finance: On the New Nexus Between Data Privacy and Competition